Joint Monitoring of the Climate-Resilient WASH Program in Health Care Facilities

Janakpurdham: A provincial-level joint monitoring visit was conducted for the “Technical Support to Provide Safely Managed & Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Services in Health Care Facilities” program being implemented in various health institutions of Madhesh Province.

Under the collaborative initiative of UNICEF Nepal, Chay-Ya Nepal, and the local municipality, a joint monitoring visit was carried out at the National Basic School in Kemalipur, Mithila Municipality of Madhesh Province, Jamunibas Safe Drinking Water Project, and Kathpulla Health Post in Hansapur.

As part of the program, the WASH facilities built in schools and health institutions were assessed using the WASH FIT (Facility Improvement Tool). The visit aimed to identify existing gaps and needs in water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and monitor the construction of inclusive, gender-sensitive, and child-friendly drinking water stations, handwashing areas, toilet facilities, and medical waste management systems. The Jamunibas Safe Drinking Water Project was also monitored based on its established indicators.

Participants in the joint monitoring included Rani Tiwari, Minister for Education and Culture of Madhesh Province; Thulo Babu Dahal, Director of the Regional Education Directorate; Laxmeshwar from the Ministry of Health; Rakesh Yadav from the Ministry of Drinking Water; Mohammad Irfan Alrai, Chief of WASH at UNICEF; Anita Dahal, Field Officer from UNICEF’s Janakpur Office; WASH Officer Bodh Narayan Shrestha; Annapurna Mishra; Sunita Sulfe K.C.; Er. Ashish Singh, Provincial Coordinator from Chay-Ya Nepal; Program Manager Ram Maharjan; and Sunita Singh Budhathoki, Deputy Mayor of Mithila Municipality.

Wash Khabar